Cleaning device



2 Sheets-Shree?l l INVENToRr- /QOQs/eder? ATTORNY.

H. HELLER CLEANING DEV ICE Filed oct. e. 1952 Sept. 18, 1934.

Sept. 18, 1934. H. HELLER CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8, 1932 y A TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 18, 1934 rr. s

AT .Flirt 8 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to cleaning devices, and is particularly concerned with devices for cleaning windows and the like.

I invented a cleaning device which is simple in construction and which will permit the cleaning of the outside of the window of any construction without any hazard whatsoever. I

secure in cooperation with the cleaning member (washing pad or squeegee) a holding means for lil direct engagement with the object to be cleaned to automatically maintain the cleaning member in slidable vengagement with the object. The ne essity for climbing out of the window and cleaning the same from the outside is introduced by the fact that it is impossible to secure the cleaning member in sliding engagement with the Window pane; lviy invention makes it possible to secure this sliding engagement of the cleaning member proper automatically and eiiiciently. It is merely necessary to impart to my novel device the operating motion longitudinally to the window pane.

The holding means above mentioned which cooperates with my device and maintains the same in sliding engagement with the window pane is represented by suction cup 0I" simple and efficient structure which attaches itself to the window pane and-thus supports the device in position and in operation. When the cleaning of the window and the like is concluded, all that is necessary to remove the device from engagement with the window pane is to release the suction obtaining within the suction member.

done by a small valve conveniently secured to the carrier or the handle.

in order to wash a window eiiciently it is necessary to apply first a cleaning member in the icrin of a rag or suitable washing pad, followed by the application of a squeegee. The latter can only be operated in one direction of movement parallel or longitudinal to the window pane. I have taken care of this requirement by constructing a squeegee mechanism in which the longitudinal movement oi the squeegee in either direction is imparted manually while the movement ci the squeegee proper perpendicular to the window pane is taken care of automatically.

The operation of a device such as I have disclosed in the present case requires utmost mobility of the cleaning member regardless whether the same be a washing pad or rag or the squeegee. My invention takes care of such mobility by the provision of hinge means provided on the device to which l attach a flexible rod or operating handle. This handle or rod may be made of rea any desirable or suitable material such as spring 1 steel or the like.

I have also made provisions for preventing cracking of putty due to an accidental impact ol the cleaning device relative to the corner of the window frame. Such impact may also contribute toward releasing the suction cup from its sliding engagement with the window pane. A resilient stop is secured to the carrier on which is mounted the suction cup as weil as the clean ing member, and this resilient stop will prevent the cracking of putty, damage to the window frame, however slight such damage might be, well as accidental release of the device during operation.

There are several other objects and features peculiar to my invention, which will be brought out in detail as the description progresses. The device, it will be understood, is not only intended for cleaning windows, but may be employed for a great variety of cleaning purposes, such as cleaning shelves, etc., in short, in all such cases of cleaning where access to the object to be cleaned is rendered diiiicult or awkward for some reason or other.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a iront View of a washing device according to my invention;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the same;

Fig. 3 shows a section along the lines 3 3 or Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 shows a section substantially along the lines 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows a back View of the device; 90

Fig. 6 shows a front view of the squeegee according to my invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates a front view with certain parts removed in order to describe the mechanism more clearly;

Fig. 8 represents a section substantially along the lines 8 8 of Fig. 6, the squeegee being shown in use during the effective movement of the same in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 9 shows a section of the squeegee substantially along the lines 9 9 of Fig. '7, during the operation when moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9.

Like .parts are indicated in all the drawings by like reference numerals.

Referring now particularly to Figs. l to 5 inelusive, these gures show views of a washing device designed for taking care of the primary washing operation in conjunction with cleaning windows and the like. The device comprises an operating member 1 which is hingedly secured at 2 to a carrier 3. Mounted on the operating member is a clip A conveniently holding the valve 5. This valve is connected bj means of a tube member 6 to the suction member 7 in a manner and for a purpose which will be described later on. It may be remarked at this point that the valve 5 may be secured in any other desired Way or manner, but l prefer to mount the valve as shown on the operating member 1 in order to malte the device as simple and as inexpensive as possible.

Attached to the operating member is a plateKV 8, the center part of which forms a longitudinal groove or channel as indicated at 9 in Fig. l.

A pin 1G, as shown particularly in 4 is dis-l posed in the upper part of the groove or channel. A clip 11 having a pin 12 is mounted resiliently on the member 8, the pin 12 engaging openings in alignment of the member S as Weil as in the operating member 1. A flexible operating rod or handle indicated by numeral 13 may be introduced into the channel formed by the plate 3 on the operating member l in a Way that is particularly indicated in Fig. 5. This handle 13 is provided. at its extreme end with a slot 14 adapted to engage the guide and stop pin 10. The slot is provided in the handle adapted to catch the locking pin 12 on the resilient lool: member 11. lt will thus be seen that the flexible handle or operating rod can be easily secured to the operating member land locked in position. When it is to remove the handle 13, the resilient locking member 11 is lifted, thereby removing the locking pin 12 from engagement with the `coriespending hole in the handle, and the handle is easily slipped cut of the groove or channel and removed.

Attention is directed to the fact that I have shown a separate channel plate 8 secured to the operating member 1 by means of rivets or the like and also holding the valve clip A. It is understood, of course, that the embodiments might be changed according to the needs lof 4mass production a requisite channel or ygroove for the handle might be made an integral part of the operating member 1 by stamping out suitable loops or the like.

Attention may also be called to the fact that l have hinged. the operating member to the carrier 3 as above desc ibed .in order to provide for the requisite mobility. When the device is in operation, the motion longitudinal to the Window pane will be imparted by the handle 13. It is, of course, clear that it is impossible to achieve a pure and uniform longitudinal motion by manual operation and particularly in the hands of a layman. The hinged connection cf the operating member with the carrier 3 excludes faulty operation since its lateral or angular movement combined with the longitudinal movement will not influence the operation of the device adversely.

The ca"rier 3 is represented by the suitably shaped pa'- el with the edges le and 15 overlapping shown in Figs 2 and 4. Slidably se# cured within this panel and held by the overlapping'edges thereof is the plate i6. Conveniently mounted on the latter is the washing pad 17 by means oi suitable rivets or pins or the like, as indicated in Fig. 3 at i8 and 19. The member 1S is also provided with a boss such as 20 shown in 3 which may be stamped or pressed out of the material and which is adapted to engage an opening 21 in the carrier plate The purpose of this boss 20 in cooperation with the opening 21 is to hold the panel 16 and ali the parts mounted thereon or cooperating therewith in position relative to the carrier 3. It will be understood that the pad 17 may be made of any suitable or desired material including sponge or sponge rubber, or felt and the like. Holes `may be stamped out of the pad to catch the pins such as 18 and 19 the flanges of which will hold the pad securely in position.

Also secured to the plate 16 by means of rivets or the like or directly stamped out of the mate- Vrial of the panel 16 is a mounting member 22,

best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This mounting member has a concave face for receiving the suction member 7. A threaded member 23 is secured to the member 22 in back of the concave face thereof and the tube or hose 6 connecting to the valve 5 is secured to the member 28 as is particularly indicated in Figs. 3 and e.

face of the Washing pad 17 is reducedin its center in order to permit the attachment of the suction member 7 by means of the tubular screw 24 having an aperture 25 connecting With the tube 6 leading to the valve 5. A Washer 26 may be interposed between the screw 24 and the suction member 7, and suitable shims as indicated by numeral 27 in Fig. 4 may be interposed between the concave face of the memberl 22 and the suction member 7. This suction member 7 need not be a preformed suction cup or the like, but may be cut out from a flat piece of rubber sheet and simply provided with a suitable hole for the passage of the shank of the screw 24. The forming will take place when the member 7 is mounted in place due to the reduced section of the washing pad 17 and also due to the concave face of the member 22 which is provided folr supporting member 7. The member 7 will attach itself peripherally to the corresponding portion of the Washing pad substantially as shown in the drawings, While its center part will be drawn below the surface of the Washing pad. Due to the fact that the pad itself consists of a relatively soft material such as felt or the like, and also due to the factV that thesuction member is made of relatively soft sheet rubber, there Will be no tendency of mutual interference between these two parts. The shims 27 serve the purpose of adjusting the suction member 7 in case the surface of the Washing pad wears down. The operation of the above described device is as fole lows:

When it is desired to clean a window outside, the cxible handle 13 is inserted into the operating member 1 as previously described. lt will be locked in the position in which it is put, due to the resilient locking member carrying the pin i2. lThe washing pad 17 secured to the carrier 3 is dipped into Water and soaked until down or moving itin any direction along the window pane merely by operating the resilient handle 13. Any angular motion of the handle 13 will be absorbed by the resiliency of the handle as well as by the hinge connection between the operating member and the carrier 3. When the washing operation is concluded, it will be necessary to release the device from engagement with the window pane. This is done by depressing the plunger on the valve 5, thereby releasing the suction action of member 7 since air will rush into the space between the depressed center portion of the suction member 7 and the window pane. If the device is accidentally released during the operation, all that is necessary to eifect reengagement of the device with the window pane is pressing the face of the washing pad against the window pane and creating requisite suction due to the action of the suction member 7.

In order to perfect the cleaning operation it will be necessary to employ a squeegee to scrape off the superfiuouswater from the window pane. rIhe squeegee must manifestly be constructed along the lines of the washing device above described. One embodiment of such a squeegee is illustrated in the Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, which eratng member 3G and a tubular connection 34 tice. 4o

' connects with the suction member 35 of the device in the same way as the valve and tube connection connected with the corresponding suction member 7 of the previously described de- The operating member 30 is hingedly connected at 35 to the carrier 37. The upper end of the carrier 37 is bent as indicated at 38 and a member 39 is secured as shown to provide a recess or channel for receiving the squeegee 40.

. The latter may be of simple construction com- 45 a desirable and suitable number of flat rubber strips held together by a stamped frame. It is understood, of course, that the member 39 may be integral with the carrier 37. It is merely necessary to stamp out from the material of the carrier a number of projections for cooperating with the angular end 38 to hold the squeege 40.

The lower end of the carrier 37 is provided with a suitable resilient stop 41 which may be made of rubber or felt or the like. The function of this stop, as was mentioned previously, is to prevent damage to the window frame and particularly to 'the putty due to an impact of the lower portion of the carrier frame on certain parts of the window.

Mounted on the carrier 37 or stamped out from the material of the same are the cams 42, 43 and 44. Slidably secured on these cams is a frame 45 carrying the suction member 35. The center portion of this frame 45 is depressed as indicated at 46 providing a concave face for the reception of the suction member 35. The threaded member 47 is secured on the depressed i portion of the frame 45 opposite the concave the like. Attention must be paid in mounting and securing the frame 45 on the cams that the movement of the frame on these cams is not interfered with.

The suction member 35 again consists of a fiat 80 piece of relatively soft rubber suitably cut out and provided with a central opening for the passage of the screw 50. This screw is provided with a suitable hole 51 registering with the opening inside of the member 47 which in turn is connected by means of the hose or tube 34 with the valve 33.

The operation of the above described squeegee mechanism will be explained particularly with reference to Figs. 8 and 9.

The attachment of the handle or operating rod 32 is effected in the same manner as was described in connection with the washerdevice. The squeegee is then dipped in water and slightly pressed against the window pane to be cleaned. The suction member 35 will be depressed peripherally and suction will be created in the central portion, suilicient to support the squeegee in sliding engagement with the wet window. When the rod or handle is actuated 100 upwardly in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 9, the suction created by the member 35 will tend to hold the frame 45 stationary. Since the cams 42-44 are integral parts of the carrier 37 it is clear that the carrier and with it the 105 squeegee will move away from the window while the remaining part of the apparatus remains in contact with the window pane. This is indicated in Fig. 9. Responsive to a further motion of the device longitudinally to the Vwindow pane, the cams will take along the frame carrying the suction member 35 and the latter will slide along the wet window pane without reducing the suction, always holding and supporting the device on the window `pane regardless of angular movements of the handle or operating rod Such angular movement is absorbed exactly as described in the previous case by the resiliency of the operating rod and also by the hinge connection of the operating member 30 with the carrier 37. The squeegee therefore, will be moved without affecting the remnants of water on the window pane. This action, which is due to the cam operation is required, because dirt would otherwise be pushed 125 upwardly, while it is desired that the dirt be pushed ofi of the window being cleaned. When the squeegee has been pushed to the upper edge of the window, it is ready and in position to perform the cleaning, and the operator will pull 130 it down in the contrary direction, i. e., in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8. There will first be a very slight idle motion until the carrier 37 with its cams 42-44 has caught the frame 45. The edge of the squeegee 40 will 135 now be in engagement with the window pane 55 and further downward motion will scrape off all the dirt and remnants of water on the window pane. The incline of the cams is such as to effect Van almost instantaneous engagement of the squeegee with the window. Attention is also called at this point to the fact that I have provided a pad 56 on the face of the frame 45 against which the corresponding portion of the suction member 35 may rest during the downward, or eiiective motion of the device. Instead of providing a pad straight across the upper portion of the frame 45, as shown, a felt or rubber washer may be provided, one at each of the extreme ends, since the action of the pad- 159 ding serves merelyto prevent a scraping of the window pane by metal parts.

The operation of the ,device as above described automatically reproduces the action of a human being when using an ordinary squeegee. The motion in one direction is ineffective, as it is required to put the sdueegee first in proper position for performing its task; vWhen that positicnis reached the sdueegee becomes eifective automatically. The removal of the device from the window pane at the termination of the. operation is effected by admitting air to the sucticn member 35 upon depressing the plunger of the valve 33.- The device can be used, of course, in the same manner as ani-ordinary squeegee or Wiper.

It will be appreciated that changes maybe made in various details modifying the structure or the operation accor ing to the needs of operation or design that might arise. Il want to have it understood that have not shown the embodiments illustrated for the purpose of indicating the limitations of my invention, but solely for the purpose of illustrating how the same may be applied in practice. i I intend to make use of all such modifications and embodiments as may fall Within the scope ofthe appended claims in which l have defined what is new in the art. l y.

I claim as my invention: Y

l. In combination, a carrier, a squeegee removably secured to said carrier,` cam means on said carrier, a control member cooperating with said cam means, means von said control member for sucticnal sliding engagement with the object to be cleaned, the cooperation of said control member said cam means causingremoval offsaid squeegee from the object to be cleaned in one direction of movement of said carrier and engagement of said squeegee With said object in another direction of movement of said carrier, and means for moving said carrier.

- 2. A cleaning device of' the class described, comprising, in combination, a carrier hinge-con- Ytrclled means for moving said carrier, suction means for sliding engagement with the object to be cleaned during the period of cleaning thereof, a cleaning member removably mounted on said carrier for cleaning said object, and cam means interposed between said suction means and said carrier for moving said carrier 'and said cleaning member away from the object to be cleaned when said carrier is moved in a predetermined direction.

3- A cleaning device of thev classv described, comprising a carrier, a cleaning body removably secured to said Carrier, cam means on said carrier, a suction means-adjustably mounted on said cam means for sliding attachment to the object to be cleaned to hold said device in engagement Vwith said object during the cleaning thereof, said cam means controlling the motion in said cav'itya flat soft rubber disc forming on Y saidcavity la suction cup having a Wide flat rim disposed substantially parallel to the surface to bev cleaned for slidably retaining the cleaner thereto.

l 5.` Acle'aner of the class described, comprising a carrier, a cavityin said carrier, a flat disk of resilient material securedto said carrier with the center thereof drawninto said cavity and forming a A,cup having a marginal rim extending substantially parallel to the surface of the object to be cleaned, for slidably retaining said cleaner in engagement with said object.

`6. A cleaner of the class described, comprising Ya carrier, cam means on said carrier, a frame slidably engaging said cam means, suction means mounted on saidy frame for securing said cleaner in sliding engagement with the object to be cleaned, a oleaning'memher secured to said carrier, and means hinged to said carrier for actuating said cleaner, said cam means causing engagement of said Vcleaning member with said object to be cleaned only when said cleaner is actuated in a predetermined direction.

'7. A cleaning device of the class described, comprising a carrier, la cup formed on said carrier, a cleaning member secured to said carrier and surrounding said cup, and a iiat Vresilient disk mounted on said cup with the center drawn thereinto `to form a suction cup having a fiat marginal rim substantially parallel to and in line with the surface of said cleaning member for holding said device in slidable engagement With the object to be cleaned.

8. A cleaner of the class described comprising, a carrier, cleaning means mounted on said carrier, a frame, a cavity in said frame, a flat disc of resilient material secured to said frame with the center thereof drawn into said cavity and forming a cup having a marginal rim extending substantially parallel to the surface of the object to be cleaned for slidably engaging said surface and for slidably retaining said cleaner inengagement With said object during the cleaningtliereof, and cam means on said carrier and slidably supporting said frame for removing said cleaning means from engagement With the object to be cleaned during the actuation of said cleaner in a predetermined direction relative to said object, and means for actuating said cleaner.

HUGO HELLER.. 

